Today in the Second World War

As we step into November 8th, the tapestry of World War II unfolds further, revealing a myriad of pivotal moments and unsung heroics emblematic of this day. From theaters of battle to the home front, the intricacies of November 8th shed light on the broader spectrum of wartime experiences. Let's journey together through these chronicles, drawing closer to the heart of a world transformed by conflict.

"I say that the bombing of the Abbey...was a mistake...It only made our job more difficult, more costly in terms of men, machines and time" - Lieutenant General Mark Clark - Commander of the U.S. Fifth Army - 1944 (After the bombing of Monte Cassino)

Almost

1939: An assassination attempt on Hitler by German carpenter Georg Elser failed at the annual commemoration of the Beer Hall Putsch in München, Germany. Ostensibly, Hitler and other top Nazi leaders escaped death because Hitler had ended his speech early and left the building eight minutes before the bomb planted by Elser detonated (which killed 8 and wounded 65). In actuality, however, it had been planned by Hitler to elevate his own standing in Germany and to create a situation where he could blame the western powers for an assassination attempt. w

Victory?

1941: At the annual Beer Hall Putsch speech, Adolf Hitler claimed that the war with Soviet Union was effectively won, citing 3.6 million prisoners taken, and by conjecture the Soviet forces must had suffered eight to ten million casualties thus far. In regards to the United States, Hitler noted that the aggressive US President Franklin Roosevelt had ordered American ships to deliberately attack any German submarines they crossed, while Hitler continued to order restraint for German submarine captains; nevertheless, he noted that the submarines would fight back fiercely should they be fired upon.

Still Fighting

1942: Two former US Coast Guard cutters renamed HMS Walney (Captain F. T. Peters R.N.) and HMS Hartland (Commander Godfrey P. Billot) each carrying 200 American infantry entered Oran, Algeria with the intention of denying the harbour facilities to the Vichy French. Both vessels came under intense crossfire from French warships and were sunk with heavy losses. The survivors were taken prisoner. Captain Peters miraculously survived but was killed in a plane accident two days later. He was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross and the American Distinguished Service Cross. Commander Godfrey P. Billot of Hartland won a Distinguished Service Order.

Uneasy Night

1942: William Halsey inspected Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands. Staying overnight, he personally experienced a Japanese naval bombardment which he later admitted filled him with fright.

Changing Times

1944: For the first time, Hitler did not appear at the celebration of the Beer Hall Putsch anniversary; instead, he had Himmler read his speech for him.

Burning

1944: German Luftwaffe ace Major Walter Nowotny claimed his 258th victory as he shot down a B-24 Liberator bomber over Hesepe near Osnabrück, Germany. Moments later, his Me 262 jet fighter was hit by a US P-51 fighter, possibly the one piloted by 1st Lieutenant Richard Stevens. Nowotny's final words were reported to be "my god, I'm burning!" His subsequent crash and explosion was witnessed by his commanding officer Adolf Galland and other officers, who immediately rushed to the crash site; they failed to find Nowotny's remains, only able to locate broken pieces of the pilot's Knight's Cross medal.

Photo of the Day

Greek soldier posing with a wrecked Italian L3/33 tankette during the Battle of Elaia-Kalamas, northern Greece, early November 1940.

As we conclude our voyage through the chapters of November 8th, we're once again reminded of the boundless layers and depth of World War II's legacy. The tales from today, both grand in scale and intimate in detail, underscore the immeasurable impact of these times on the course of history. With gratitude for your continued readership, we look forward to unearthing more stories and insights as we step into another day of discovery tomorrow.

If you ever have any recommendations feel free to reach out to us at [email protected]

Have a great week :)

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